A Rockin’ Adventure – Visit Frankfort – Official Travel Guide for Frankfort, Kentucky (original) (raw)

Those looking for a soft adventure experience that combines scenic beauty, history, bourbon, wildlife viewing and river lore, can begin counting down the days until summer – the beginning of July to be exact.

That’s when Rockin Thunder will again pull into its landing spot along the Kentucky River. It will keep rockin’ its two-day boat trips throughout July, August and September, once the spring flooding season is no longer a threat to river levels.

Passengers depart from Rockin Thunder’s home port of Madison, Indiana on the Ohio River following. From there, the bright yellow jet boat, which can hold up to 16 passengers, heads upriver to where the Ohio connects to the Kentucky River, with its destination being Frankfort.

Upon arrival, passengers will spend a full day exploring the Capital City, enjoying a trolley tour as well as a visit to Rebecca Ruth Candy Tours & Museum and enjoying Frankfort’s historic downtown.

After an overnight at the Capital Plaza Hotel, they have an opportunity for a tour and tasting at Buffalo Trace Distillery before re-boarding the boat for the real adventure.

“Of all the trips we offer, this is my favorite and it tends to be the favorite of most of our guests as well,” says Captain Paul Nicholson, who started his Rockin Thunder River Tours in 2012 after operating jet boats on the whitewater rivers of the Pacific Northwest where he grew up.

To say that Captain Paul is an adventurer is an understatement. During a career path that could be considered anything but ordinary, he has been a military officer, stockbroker, TV fishing host and airfield supervisor at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. But it’s water that has been his greatest love ever since getting his first boat at the age of 15.

Twelve years ago, Nicholson made the move from the Pacific Northwest to the Bluegrass to set up his operation, and he couldn’t be happier.

“We operate the only jet boat excursion of its kind on the lower Kentucky River,” says Nicholson, adding that many of his passengers are return guests.

“They keep coming back because every time out offers a different experience,” he says.

The biggest draw for many is the chance to pass through four locks dating back to 1838 (the only ones still open of the 14 originally built on the river.) The locks were constructed from hand-cut stones by German immigrants who needed a way to transport coal from the mines of Eastern Kentucky.

Nicholson says the passengers love the stretch between Lock #3 and Lock #2 – “13 miles with nothing there but one house,” he says.

That means plenty of opportunity to spot the regional wildlife – turtles, deer, ospreys, bald eagles, and if you’re lucky and have a keen eye, maybe pygmy goats or even a shy bobcat.

Even without the wildlife, the scenery here is pretty spectacular – a tapestry of hardwood forests and limestone canyons which looks as if it had been untouched by man.

At Lock #2, passengers get a real treat, a chance to disembark in the town of Lockport (population – 26), one of those 26 being Darrell (no last name, just Darrell) or if you prefer, Ace.

Ace is the proprietor of Ace’s Market, a combination gas station/general store where he dispenses everything from cold soda pop and sandwiches to fishing tackle and fly swatters.

On most days, Ace is assisted by one or more of his six dogs who always appreciate a pat on the head and a handout from boat passengers.

Back on board, it’s time for some river lore, and no one knows more tall tales than Nicholson whose tales feature Native Americans, early settlers, moonshiners and pirates who preyed on riverboats during the 1800s.

Legend has it, he explains, that treasure looted by the pirates was buried along the riverbanks and remains undetected to this day.

By the time the boat arrives at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers, heading back to Madison, the journey has spanned 155 miles – every last one of which has been an adventure.

“There is absolutely no experience like this east of the Rocky Mountains,” insists Nicholson, “for anything comparable you would have to go to the Salmon River, originating in the Sawtooth Valley of Idaho and known as “the River of no Return.”

Apparently, his passengers agree, as evidenced by one woman from New Zealand who has come six times to enjoy the adventure.

As far as your own potential visit is concerned, you can avoid any disappointment when Nicholson returns with his Rockin Thunder adventure next summer, by booking now, as he says he usually has a lengthy waiting list for the trips.

Aside from booking early, are there any words of advice for those who want to take the Rockin Thunder adventure tour? “Yeah,” says Nicholson, “prepare to have fun.”